Writing instruments



Filed Jan. 25, 1958 8 INVENTOR. 8a 6a 7 NOLAN KENT RHOADES Em l [FE A TY.

3,046,943 WRITING IIISTRUll ENTS Nolan Kent Rhoades, Shopiere, Wis, assignor to The Parker Pen Company, Janesville, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Jan. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 710,691

7 Claims. (Cl. fill-42.03)

This invention relates to writing instruments and has to do particularly with such instruments having projection-and-retraction means for exposing the writing point from and concealing it within the casing or barrel.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel writing instrument having improved projection-retraction means for exposing the writing point from and concealing it within the casing.

It is a further object to provide a novel writing instrument having improved projection-retraction means for exposing the writing point from and concealing it within the casing while maintaining the users digits in the normal position gripping the instrument for writing.

Another object is to provide a novel writing instrument having a readily removable and replaceable point-andreservoir writing unit, and improved projection-retraction means for exposing the writing point from and concealing it within the casing.

A further object is to provide a novel writing instrument having improved projection-retraction means for exposing the writing point from and concealing it within the casing While maintaining the users digits in the normal position gripping the instrument for writing, and while maintaining the instrument in normal point-enddown writing position without having to lift the instrument from the writing surface.

It is a still further object to provide a novel writing instrument having a casing or barrel comprising a pair of semitubular barrel elements slidable for relative axial movement to expose and conceal the Writing po nt.

Still another object is to provide a novel writing instrument having a barrel comprising a pair of semitubular barrel elements slidable for relative axial movement to expose and conceal the writing point, wherein the semitubular elements are held together by the writing unit.

A still further object is to provide a novel writing instrument having improved projection-retraction means for exposing the writing point from and concealing it within the barrel, the instrument being simple in construction, of relatively few parts, economical of manufacture, and reliable and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal elevational view of a writing instrument constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the writing point portion exposed in the projected position;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of this same writing instrument, showing the writing point portion concealed in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of this same writing instrument, showing the writing point portion exposed in the projected position;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rear end of the same writing instrument; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the front end or point end of the same writing instrument.

The writing instrument of this invention includes a point-and-reservoir writing unit 6 and a barrel for housing the unit, which barrel comprises a pair of semitubular barrel elements 7 and 8.

The writing unit 6 is a writingpoint-and-reservoir unit and may be of the ball point cartridge type, as shown.

3&46343 Patented July 31, 1962 The writing point and feed portion 6d of the unit is of smaller diameter than the reservoir or cartridge portion. A threaded plug 6b is disposed at the rear of the reservoir portion. The threaded plug 6b may be integral with the reservoir portion or may be a separate piece attached thereto in any convenient manner, and in either event may be considered a part of the writing unit 6.

The semitubular barrel elements 7 and 8 are arranged in concave-facing relationship mutually engaging as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 to enable relative axial (or longitudinal) sliding motion therebetween but to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

Element 8 is provided at the forward end thereof with a tubular portion 8a which may be an integral portion of the element or may be fixed in the element in any other convenient manner.

Element 7 is provided with an internally threaded tubular segment 7a, which may be integral with element 7 or may be fixed therein in any other convenient manner.

The writing unit 6 is fixed in element 7 by the threaded connection between plug 6b and tubular segment 7a.

The point portion 6a of the writing unit 6 extends into the tubular portion 8a of element 8.

The writing unit 6, being fixed in element 7 and extending into tubular portion 8a of element 8, interlockingly holds the semitubular elements 7 and 8 together in assembled relation preventing separation radially (transversely) of the barrel.

Stop means for longitudinal or axial movement in one direction are provided in that the reservoir portion of the writing unit is of greater diameter than the bore of tubular portion 8a, and thus the writing unit (and element 7 fixed thereto) can move forwardly relative to element 8 only as far as the projected position, as is shown in FIG. 3, where the reservoir portion of writing unit 6 stops against tubular portion 3a.

Stop means for longitudinal or axial movement in the other direction are provided as follows: Element 7 is provided with a tubular part 7b, and element 8 is provided with a tubular section 8b disposed rearwardly of tubular part 7b. The writing unit passes through tubular part 7b and tubular section 3b. The writing unit (and element 7 fixed thereto) can move rearwardly relative to element 8 only as far as the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2, where part 7b and section 8b stop abuttingly against each, other.

These stop means prevent separation of elements 7 and 8 longitudinally (axially) and together with the interlocking of these elements against transverse (radial) separation, as described above, maintains the writing instrument assembled;

Tubular section 3b, disposed near the rearward end of element 8, receives writing element 6 therethrough, and thus aids tubular portion 8a in interlockingly holding the elements 7 and 8 assembled together against radial separation.

Latehing means are provided for frictionally holding the writing unit and element 7 in retracted position to resist when placed there, and also in projected position when placed there to resist retraction by writing pressure applied to the writing point. The latching means includes a latch spring finger 7d fixed in element 7 and a pair of latch recesses formed in element 8. The latch spring finger 7d is conveniently mounted in element 7, as for example being mounted therein between tubular part 7b and a sleeve portion.7c of element 7. The latch spring finger 7a! is resiliently biased against member 8 and thus, upon entering either of recesses 80, frictionally holds the elements in either retracted or projected position against the normal forces of writing or carrying, but yields to the force applied, e.g. by the thumb and finger,

of element 8 may be integral with element 8, as for exam-.

ple being formed together in one piece 'by injection molding, or they may be fixed in element 8 in any other convenient manner such as being cemented therein. Likewise, the tubular segment 7a, the tubular part 7b and the sleeve portion 7c of element 7 may be integral items, as for example being formed together in one piece by injection molding, or they may be fixed in element 8 in any other convenient manner such as being cemented therein.

Removal of and replacement of a cartridge or writing unit is very simple and convenient. merely unscrewed from threaded connection at.6b and 7a, and is withdrawn rearwardly, whereupon the elements 7 and '8 separate. To replace a cartridge, the semitubular elements 7, 8 are placed together as shown and a cartridge is inserted through their interlocking tubular portions and is threaded home in element 7.

A digit-receiving contour 7e is provided on the exterior of element 7 to facilitate the operation of retracting and projecting the writing point.

The operation is very simple and is as follows: the instrument is grasped for writing with one of the users digits, for example the thumb, bearing against element 8 and with another of'the users digits, for example the forefinger, bearing against element 7, as is shown in FIG. 1.

The simple manipulation of moving one digit forwardly rearwardly relative to the other digit, moves the elements 7, 8 axially relative to one another and exposes writing point from or conceals it within portion 8a.

The projection and retraction of the writing point is thus accomplished with ease without necessitating a repositioning of the users digits on the instrument. 7

This invention enables a user to, with the same hand, alternately (1) write on a paper and (2) page through reading material, without the risk of marking the reading material and without having to reposition the fingers on the writing instrument. For example, a righthanded writer can use his left hand to hold down and keep pages of a book from turning over, and can use his right hand to alternatively write (with point projected) and to turn to new pages (with point retracted) without ever laying down the instrument and without changing the grasp thereon.

This invention also enables a user to conveniently dial a telephone with the forward end of element 8 (while the Writing point is retracted) and to then, while conversing on the phone, make notes (with the writing point projected) without ever laying down the writing instrument and without changing the grasp thereon. For example, a right handed writer can pick up and hold the telephone ear-mouth piece with his left hand, and, with the Writing instrument grasped in writing position in his right hand, proceed to dial (point retracted), write (point projected), re-dial (point retracted), re-write (point projected), etc. without ever changing the grasp on the writing instrument.

The above advantages are obtainable while maintaining the writing instrument in writing position, i.e. in.

point-end-down position, without having to tip the instnument upside-down (-as is necessary in gravity-actuated pens), and also without having to lift the writing instrument up off the writing surface and give it an inertial thrust (as is necessary in inertia actuated pens).

The above advantages are all obtainable together with the advantages of having a simply constructed writing instrument of very few parts which is economical of manufacture and reliable and convenient in use.

I claim:

1. A ball point writing instrument having a ball point cartridge including a reservoir portion and a feed-andwriting point portion of lesser diameter than said reservoir The cartridge is.

portion, and a tubular exterior barrel for housing said cartridge, said barrel comprising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements of substantially equal length and of the order of the length of said cartridge and extending substantially the entire length of the writing instrument, said elements mutually abuttingly engaging to form said tubular barrel and to prevent relative rota; tional motion and to be slidable for relative axial motion,

said first element having a front tubular portion disposed therein at its forward end and a rear tubular section disposed therein near its rearward end and a pair of axially spaced latch depressions formed therein between said front tubular portion and said rear tubular section,

said second element being in overlapping relation to and slidable over said tubular portion, each of said elements having stop means mutually engageable for preventing axialseparation of said second element and said tubularport on, said front tubular portion being of a bore of smaller diameter than the diameter of said reservoir po r-- 7 tion, said second element having an internally threaded tubular segment disposed therein near its rearward end,

a latch spring finger fixed in said second element in position for cooperation with said latch depressions, said cart ridge having an externally threaded portion near its rear ward end in threaded engagement with said threaded tubular segment, said front tubular portion, rear tubular section and threaded tubular segment being axially aligned, said reservoir portion extending into said rear tubular section, and said feed-and-writing point portion extending into said front tubular portion, and one of said elements having a finger-receiving deformation on the exterior thereof near the forward end thereof for engaging a finger of the user both for writing and for sliding said elements in relative axial motion.

2. A writing instrument'comprising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements capable of beinggrasped by the hand, said elements forming a tubular exterior barrel, said first element having a tubular portion at its forward end, and a writing unit fixed in said second element having its front end extending into said.

tubular portion, said elements being slidable for relative axial motion, said second element being in overlapping relation to and slidable over said tubular portion, each of said elements having stop means mutually engageable for preventing axial separation, in either axial direction, of said second element and said tubular portion.

3. A writing instrument comprising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements capable of being grasped by the hand, said elements forming a tubular exterior barrel, said first element having a tubular portion at its forward end, and a writing unit fixed in said second element having its front end extending into said tubular portion, said elements being slidable for relative axial motion, said second element being in overlappingrelation to and slidable over said tubular portion, each of said elements having stop means mutually engageable for preventing axial separation, in either axialdirection, of said second element and said tubular portion, one of'said elements having a finger-receiving deformation on the exterior thereof near the forward end thereof for engaging a finger of the user to facilitate the manipulation or sliding said elements.

4. A writing instrument comprising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements capable of being grasped by the hand, said elements forming a tubular exterior barrel, said first element having a tubular portion at its forward end, and a writing unit fixed in said second element having its front end extending into said tubular portion, said elements being slidable for relative axial motion, said second element being in overlapping relation to and slidable over said tubular portion, each of said elements having stop means mutually engageable for preventing axialseparation, in either axial direction, of said second element and said tubular portion, the one of said elements having said tubular portion at its front end also having a tubular section at its rear end, and said writing unit having its rear end extending into said tubular section.

5 A writing instrument comprising a writing unit having a reservoir portion and a writing point, and a tubular exterior barrel for housing said writing unit, said tubular barrel comprising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements of substantially equal length mutually engaging to form said tubular barrel, said barrel being capable of being grasped by the hand, said first element having a tubular portion at its forward end, said writing unit being fixed in said second element and having its writing point extending into said tubular portion, said elements being slidable for relative axial motion to move said writing point through said tubular portion forwardly thereof to a projected position and rearwardly to a retracted position therein, said second element being in overlapping relation to and slidable over said tubular portion, each of said elements having stop means mutually eugageable for preventing axial separation, in either axial direction, of said second element and said tubular portion.

6. A ball point Writing instrument comprising a ball point cartridge having a reservoir portion and a Writing point, and a tubular exterior barrel for housing said cartridge, said barrel comprising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements of substantially equal length mutually engaging to form said tubular barrel, said barrel being capable of being grasped by the hand, said first element having a tubular portion at its forward end, said cartridge being fixed in said second element and having the writing point extending into said tubular portion, said first and second elements being slida'ble for relative axial motion to move said writing point through said tubular portion forwardly to expose said point therefrom in a projected position and rearwardly to conceal said point therein in a retracted position, said second element being in overlapping relation to and slidable over said tubular portion, each of said elements having stop means mutually engageable for preventing axial separation of said second element and said tubular portion, and latching means between said elements for frictionally holding said elements in said positions.

7. A ball point writing instrument comprising a ball point cartridge having a reservoir portion and a writing point, and a tubular exterior barrel for housing said cartridge, said barrel comp-rising first and second semitubular exterior barrel elements of substantially equal length mutually engaging to form said tubular barrel, said barrel being capable of being grasped by the hand, said first element having a tubular portion at its forward end, said cartridge being fixed in said second element and having the writing point extending into said tubular portion thereby interlockingly holding said elements against radial separation, said first and second elements being slidable for relative axial motion to move said writing point through said tubular portion forwardly to expose said point therefrom in a projected position and rearwardly to conceal said point therein in a retracted position, latching means between said elements for frictionally holding said elements in said positions, said second element being in overlapping relation to and slidable over said tubular portion, and stop means on each of said elements mutually engageable for preventing axial separation, in either axial direction, of said second element and said tubular portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,435,185 Reynolds Jan. 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 48,969 Germany Oct. 4, 1889 653,141 Great Britain May 9, 1951 286,888 Switzerland Mar. 2, 1953 697,084 Great Britain Sept. 16, 1953 

